Radio România Internațional

Tag: brancusi day

  • February 19, 2019

    February 19, 2019

    COMPET – The EU Competitiveness Council (COMPET) continues its
    agenda today with one its most important innovation and research programmes,
    Horizon Europe. The meeting is presided by Romanian Research Minister Nicolae
    Hurduc and the program represents one of Romania’s top priorities during its
    term at the helm of the Council of the EU. According to the Romanian official,
    research and innovation should be the core engine of the European Union, which
    has the human resources and necessary infrastructure to maintain its status of
    leader in the field of scientific research. Romania wants to ensure the
    necessary conditions for the continuation of the Horizon Europe program
    starting 2021.




    GAC – The General Affairs Council
    meeting today in Brussels is expected to decide the work agenda of the European
    Council meeting due next month. Presiding is Romanian Minister for European
    Affairs, George Ciamba. Talks will focus on the multiannual financial framework
    post-2020, considering a political agreement on the future budget of the EU
    should be reached as late as this autumn. EU officials will also look at the
    status of triggering Article 7 sanctions procedures against Poland for failure
    to observe the rule of law, and against Hungary, respectively, for failure to
    uphold fundamental European values.




    BRANCUSI DAY – Romanians today celebrate Brancusi Day, devoted to
    the birth anniversary of famous sculptor Constantin Brancusi. The artist
    embodies Romanian identity in its material and spiritual entirety, succeeding
    in committing it to the legacy of universal culture, says Ioan-Aurel Pop, the
    President of the Romanian Academy. An iconic figure of modernist art,
    Constantin Brancusi was born in Romania and moved to Paris. He is recognized as
    one of the greatest sculptors of the 20th century. The National
    Museum of Modern Art in Paris hosts a great number of Brancusi’s works, which
    in his will he left to Romania. However, upon the refusal of the communist
    authorities in Romania to bring home Brancusi’s works upon the sculptor’s
    death, the collection was bequeathed to France along with the contents of his
    workshop in Paris. The Romanian Parliament declared February 19 Brancusi Day
    in 2015.




    FLU – The death toll of the flu epidemic in Romania has reached
    138. According to a press release of the National Center for Infectious Disease
    Surveillance and Control, the last three victims are a 68-year-old woman
    without a previous history of medical diseases who had taken the anti-flu shot
    and another two women, aged 64 and 81 respectively, both suffering from other
    medical conditions and who had not taken the anti-flu vaccine.




    PSD – The Executive Committee of the
    Social-Democratic Party (PSD) is today meeting to decide on the new nominations
    for the positions of Transport and Regional Development ministers. The
    nominations are expected to be discussed later today jointly with coalition parties.
    According to Prime Minister Viorica Dancila, the proposals will also be
    presented to President Klaus Iohannis before an official announcement is made.
    Talks follow after Social-Democrat Mircea Draghici withdrew his candidacy for
    the position of Transport Minister. Previously, Lia Olguta Vasilescu also
    withdrew her candidacy for the position of Minister of Regional Development.
    President Klaus Iohannis has repeatedly refused the nomination of Lia Olguta
    Vasilescu, although he made no reference to Mircea Draghici.




    RETRIAL – The High Court of Cassation and Justice today admitted
    the appeal for annulment filed by former Romanian Senator Dan Sova against his
    3-year prison sentence in a case where he was charged with influence peddling.
    The National Anticorruption Directorate accused Sova of having received 100,000
    euros in exchange for facilitating a judicial assistance contract between a
    thermal power plant in Govora and a local law firm. Dan Sova was released from
    prison in December last year after having served six months of his detention
    time, following a Constitutional Court ruling concerning the illegal structure
    of the five-judge panel.




    HANDBALL – Romanian handball side CSM
    Bucharest will play RK Borac Banja Luka of Bosnia Herzegovina in the
    quarterfinals of the men’s Challenge Cup, following a draw hosted today by
    Vienna. The first leg will be played on home turf on March 23 or 24 while the
    return leg will be played the week thereafter.
    A win against the Bosnian side will pit CSM Bucharest against the winner
    of the match between HC Vise BM of Belgium and Russia’s HC Neva SPb Sankt
    Petersburg.




    TENNIS – Romanian tennis player world no. 2
    Simona Halep is today playing Eugenie Bouchard of Canada in the second round of
    the Dubai Duty Free Championships, totaling 2.8 million dollars in prize money.
    Halep has played Bouchard four times, the last time winning against her in the
    Australian Open last year. Simona Halep has three wins against Eugenie
    Bouchard. Also today the pair made up of Raluca Olaru of Romania and Darija
    Jurak of Croatia defeated second-seeds Nicole Melichar of the United States and
    Kveta Peschke of the Czech Republic 7-6, 7-6 and have advanced to the doubles
    quarterfinals.


    (Translated by V. Palcu)

  • February 19, 2017 UPDATE

    February 19, 2017 UPDATE

    DIPLOMACY – Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu reiterated Romanias support for increasing the role of the EU in the field of defence, in line with NATO requirements. Attending the NATO Security Conference in Munich, Melescanu underlined the importance of consolidating the EU as a viable and influential global actor, outlining Romanias contribution to securing Euro-Atlantic and global security. On the sidelines of the conference, the Romanian Foreign Minister met with NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, who congratulated and thanked Romanian authorities for allotting 2% of the countrys GDP to defence. Melescanu also had talks with his Georgian and Azeri counterparts, with the Secretary General of the League of Arab Nations, as well as with other high-ranking officials attending the conference.



    EMERGENCY DECREE – The Chamber of Deputies is still debating the emergency decree on the withdrawal of the controversial decree by means of which the Government attempted to amend criminal legislation. According to the head of the Chambers judicial committee, which is the decision-making body in this case, adopting the former would make null the latter. Aimed at partially decriminalising abuse of office, the decree has been the target of mass street protests since its adoption on January 31.



    CVM – Romanian Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu announced he would send a letter of enquiry to the European Commission next week regarding the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism, so that the Government can take the necessary measures. Grindeanu told Realitatea television station that he wants the mechanism to be lifted in the shortest time possible. The Prime Minister recalled that, during his meeting with European Commission president, Jean-Claude Junker held on Friday, the latter insisted that Romania should no longer be monitored under the CVM by the end of his term in office. In his talks with high-ranking European Commission officials, Prime Minister Grindeanu gave assurances that the Government in Bucharest remains committed to fighting corruption.



    ECONOMY – Romania reported a 292 million euro deficit in trading foodstuffs in the first 11 months of 2016, given that, over the similar period of 2015, our country reported a surplus of over 65 million euros, according to data released by the Agriculture Ministry. Exports stood at 5,4 billion euros, up by 2.7% as against the same period of 2016, while imports exceeded 5,7 billion euros, by 9.6% more than the period under scrutiny. The EU was Romanias main trade partner in terms of exports and imports of foodstuffs, with deliveries accounting for over 54% of total exports, while EU purchases accounted for some 74% of total imports.



    BRANCUSI – Romanian embassies, consular offices and cultural institutes abroad on Sunday marked the Brancusi Day, devoted to the great Romanian sculptor Constantin Brancusi. Considered the “father of modern sculpture, Constantin Brancusi was born on February 19, 1876 in Hobita, Gorj County, southern Romania. According to the Romanian Foreign Ministry, 2017 bears a triple significance for promoting Brancusi and his works. March 16 will mark 60 years since the death of Brancusi. Also, in 2018, the year Romania celebrates 100 years since its Great Unification, our country will also celebrate 80 years since the great sculptor accomplished his greatest monument ensemble, “The Heroes Path in Targu Jiu, an homage to the Romanian soldiers who gave their lives for people and country in the Great War. Also this year on June 15 we mark 40 years since the inauguration of the “Brancusi Workshop in 1977 at the Pompidou Cultural Centre in Paris.



    FILM – Romanian image editor Dana Bunescu on Saturday scooped the Silver Bear award for editing at the 67th edition of the International Berlin Film Festival, for the feature film Ana, mon amour, directed by Calin Peter Netzer. The feature was selected in the main competition for the Golden Bear, which this year went to Hungarian filmmaker Ildko Enyedis feature On Body and Soul. We recall that Calin Peter Netzer won the Golden Bear in 2013 with his feature Childs Pose.



    CARNIVAL OF VENICE – This year as well Romania is represented in the main program at the Venice Carnival. Romanian traditional costumes were presented on Sunday at the official parade opening the Carnival, while alphorn players from Campeni, Alba County, performed on stage in San Marco Square. On Saturday, the “Zestrea exhibition of Romanian traditional costumes designed by Liliana Turoiu was opened and can be visited until February 28. (Translated by V. Palcu)

  • February 19, 2017

    February 19, 2017

    DIPLOMACY — Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu reiterated Romania’s support for increasing the role of the EU in the field of defence, in line with NATO requirements. Attending the NATO Security Conference in Munich, Melescanu underlined the importance of consolidating the EU as a viable and influential global actor, outlining Romania’s contribution to securing Euro-Atlantic and global security. On the sidelines of the conference, the Romanian Foreign Minister met with NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, who congratulated and thanked Romanian authorities for allotting 2% of the country’s GDP to defence. Melescanu also had talks with his Georgian and Azeri counterparts, with the Secretary General of the League of Arab Nations, as well as with other high-ranking officials attending the conference.



    EMERGENCY DECREE — The Chamber of Deputies is still debating the emergency decree on the withdrawal of the controversial decree by means of which the Government attempted to amend criminal legislation. According to the head of the Chamber’s judicial committee, which is the decision-making body in this case, adopting the former would make null the latter. Aimed at partially decriminalising abuse of office, the decree has been the target of mass street protests since its adoption on January 31.



    CVM — Romanian Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu announced he would send a letter of enquiry to the European Commission next week regarding the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism, so that the Government can take the necessary measures. Grindeanu told Realitatea television station that he wants the mechanism to be lifted in the shortest time possible. The Prime Minister recalled that, during his meeting with European Commission president, Jean-Claude Junker held on Friday, the latter insisted that Romania should no longer be monitored under the CVM by the end of his term in office. In his talks with high-ranking European Commission officials, Prime Minister Grindeanu gave assurances that the Government in Bucharest remains committed to fighting corruption.



    ECONOMY — Romania reported a 292 million euro deficit in trading foodstuffs in the first 11 months of 2016, given that, over the similar period of 2015, our country reported a surplus of over 65 million euros, according to data released by the Agriculture Ministry. Exports stood at 5,4 billion euros, up by 2.7% as against the same period of 2016, while imports exceeded 5,7 billion euros, by 9.6% more than the period under scrutiny. The EU was Romania’s main trade partner in terms of exports and imports of foodstuffs, with deliveries accounting for over 54% of total exports, while EU purchases accounted for some 74% of total imports.



    BRANCUSI — Romanian embassies, consular offices and cultural institutes abroad on Sunday marked the Brancusi Day, devoted to the great Romanian sculptor Constantin Brancusi. Considered the “father of modern sculpture”, Constantin Brancusi was born on February 19, 1876 in Hobita, Gorj County, southern Romania. According to the Romanian Foreign Ministry, 2017 bears a triple significance for promoting Brancusi and his works. March 16 will mark 60 years since the death of Brancusi. Also, in 2018, the year Romania celebrates 100 years since its Great Unification, our country will also celebrate 80 years since the great sculptor accomplished his greatest monument ensemble, “The Heroes’ Path” in Targu Jiu, an homage to the Romanian soldiers who gave their lives for people and country in the Great War. Also this year on June 15 we mark 40 years since the inauguration of the “Brancusi Workshop” in 1977 at the Pompidou Cultural Centre in Paris.



    FILM — Romanian image editor Dana Bunescu on Saturday scooped the Silver Bear award for editing at the 67th edition of the International Berlin Film Festival, for the feature film Ana, mon amour, directed by Calin Peter Netzer. The feature was selected in the main competition for the Golden Bear, which this year went to Hungarian filmmaker Ildko Enyedi’s feature On Body and Soul. We recall that Calin Peter Netzer won the Golden Bear in 2013 with his feature Child’s Pose.



    CARNIVAL OF VENICE — This year as well Romania is represented in the main program at the Venice Carnival. Romanian traditional costumes were presented on Sunday at the official parade opening the Carnival, while alphorn players from Campeni, Alba County, performed on stage in San Marco Square. On Saturday, the “Zestrea” exhibition of Romanian traditional costumes designed by Liliana Turoiu was opened and can be visited until February 28. (Translated by V. Palcu)

  • February 19, 2016

    February 19, 2016

    The Romanian PM, Dacian Cioloş and the healthcare minister, Patriciu Achimaş Cadariu are today visiting the county of Arges, in the south, where several cases of serious digestive problems have been reported among children. On Thursday two foreign experts came to Romania in an attempt to try to identify the source of the bacteria that caused the digestive problems in children. 3 of the children continue to be in a serious state, having been diagnosed with the hemolytic-uremic syndrome. We recall that 3 children died in February due to serious digestive infections that were followed by other major complications.



    — In Brussels continues the crucial summit where an agreement with Great Britain is expected to be reached in order to avoid the latter’s exit from the EU. After the talks started on Thursday with the 28 EU leaders, the first declarations confirm big differences of opinion. The president of the European Commission, Donald Tusk, believes that no significant progress has been registered and that there is a lot more to be done. The Italian PM Matteo Renzi said Friday that he was less optimistic than at the beginning of the summit and that “steps back” were taken on the first day, Reuters reports. However, the German chancellor Angela Merkel said there was a will for avoiding the Brexit. Romania is represented at the summit by the President Klaus Iohannis who said that Romania promoted the observance of treaties and wanted the Romanian citizens not to be discriminated. The British PM David Cameron wants key changes such as European integration, the functioning of the euro zone, competitiveness and social benefits. Many states announced during the talks that they were not willing to give up their convictions which underlie the EU, namely that the member states should cooperate on a permanent basis and the European treaties should be observed.



    In 2016 Romanians mark 140 years since the birth of the great sculptor Constantin Brâncuşi. 19 February has been proclaimed national celebration day and the national Program “140 years since the birth of the great sculptor Constantin Brâncuşi” has been launched on the occasion. The program is being run by the Romanian Cultural Institute in partnership with the “Constantin Brâncuşi” Center for Research, Documentation and Promotion. On Brâncuşi Day, various events have been scheduled across Romania as well as at the Romanian Cultural Institute centers from abroad.



    Romania attracted 1.25 billion euros from the external capital markets, by reopening the two installments of euro bonds issued in October 2015, at historical cost lows, the Public Finance Ministry officials announced on Friday. Of the total sum lent, 750 million euros will reach maturity in 10 years’ time while 500 million euros will reach maturity in 20 years’ time. According to Finance Minister, Anca Dragu, the transaction reconfirms the very good perception of and the confidence of investors in the Romanian economy in the context of a volatile market.



    Romania’s vice champion women’s handball team, HCM Baia Mare, is taking on Friday, on home ground, the German team Thuringer HC, in the main Group 1 of the Champions League. HCM Baia Mare is ranked 4th in the classification after Rostov on Don, FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria and Larvik, and stands good chances to qualify in the quarterfinals. In the same competition, but in the 2nd main Group, the champions CSM Bucharest will take on, Sunday, in an away match, the Danish team FC Midtjylland. Ranking first in this group is the en titre champion Buducnost Podgorica, followed by Gyori Audi ETO KC, RK Vardar Skopje and CSM Bucharest. (news translated by Lacramioara Simion)